Thanksgiving Holiday Closings

All Rock Island Library buildings will close at 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 & 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Library2Go routes are also cancelled. 

Stay in touch with our digital services and PrairieCat app! All locations reopen on Saturday, Nov. 20 with normal 10am to 2 pm hours. 

Event List

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An image of Lupin and Clarisse from the film Castle of Cagliostro.

Movie Monday

Monday, December 30, 2024 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Join us for a classic animated film, the first ever directed by Hayao Miyazaki! This tale of a gentleman thief is Rated PG-13 for some mature elements.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Movie
Event Details:

Join us for a classic animated film, the first ever directed by Hayao Miyazaki! This tale of a gentleman thief is Rated PG-13 for some mature elements.

Colorful book talk banner with pictures inside each letter.

Weekly Teen Book Talk

Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 3:45pm - 4:00pm
Online
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Check out this week's book talk from Emily, the Young Adult Librarian! Just go to our Facebook page (or our Teen page, if you want to watch live). 

Virtual Event
Library Branch: Online
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Check out this week's book talk from Emily, the Young Adult Librarian! Just go to our Facebook page (or our Teen page, if you want to watch live). 

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Group of harmonica players standing in a group wearing red, white, and blue vests behind a sign that reads "Wandering Patriots Harmonica Band New Members Welcome"

Tuneful Tuesday Series: Wandering Patriots Harmonica Band

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Performance
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Enjoy a musical interlude  over the lunch hour. Thanks  to sponsors Jim and Carol Horstmann, a variety of musical performances will be  presented on the first  ...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Enjoy a musical interlude  over the lunch hour. Thanks  to sponsors Jim and Carol Horstmann, a variety of musical performances will be  presented on the first  Tuesdays  of the month from December through April. 

Colorful book talk banner with pictures inside each letter.

Weekly Teen Book Talk

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 3:45pm - 4:00pm
Online
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Check out this week's book talk from Emily, the Young Adult Librarian! Just go to our Facebook page (or our Teen page, if you want to watch live). 

Virtual Event
Library Branch: Online
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Check out this week's book talk from Emily, the Young Adult Librarian! Just go to our Facebook page (or our Teen page, if you want to watch live). 

Rock Island Arsenal Lecture Series: 250 Years of the US Army

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Collaboration Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775. All talks in this series are presented by a member of Army Sustainment...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775. All talks in this series are presented by a member of Army Sustainment Command's Office of the Historian, based on the Arsenal.

Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activit...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, Discussion
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activities will be provided.

Knit & Lit

Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Movie, DIY
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Does it get any better than curling up with a crafting project while playing a favorite movie in the background? Only if you do it with friends! Join us on Thursday, January 9th, a...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Mental Health, Movie, DIY
Event Details:

Does it get any better than curling up with a crafting project while playing a favorite movie in the background? Only if you do it with friends!

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

An image of an open journal (two pages of stylized text) appears on a wooden table.

Journaling Workshop

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Interested in journaling? Start the new year with this workshop and discover the ins and outs of this satisfying hobby. Ryan Collins from the Midwest Writing Center will provide pr...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Mental Health
Event Details:

Interested in journaling? Start the new year with this workshop and discover the ins and outs of this satisfying hobby. Ryan Collins from the Midwest Writing Center will provide prompts, and we'll have the supplies you need to get started.

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Pale pink text reading "Silent Book Club," featuring a piece of greenery on an open book page

Silent Book Club

Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Mental Health
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Looking for a book club with no assigned reading or focused discussions? Then joining a Silent Book Club may be for you! The Rock Island Public Library is excited to host the Quad ...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Book Club, Mental Health
Event Details:

Looking for a book club with no assigned reading or focused discussions? Then joining a Silent Book Club may be for you!

A blue flyer depicting the details of Board Game Day.

Board Game Day

Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:30am - 1:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family
Event Details:

Board game fans: come to the Downtown Library for an afternoon of fun! Learn to play new games, or rediscover an old favorite. (Note that some games will be available for checkout ...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Board game fans: come to the Downtown Library for an afternoon of fun! Learn to play new games, or rediscover an old favorite. (Note that some games will be available for checkout during this event.)

Let’s Talk About Death - Death Cafe

Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00am - 1:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Conversation Group. No agenda. We gather, we eat cake, and we talk. Discussions include all things related to life, death, and the finality of it. Open, non-judgmental, and ho...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Conversation Group.


No agenda. We gather, we eat cake, and we talk. Discussions include all things related to life, death, and the finality of it. Open, non-judgmental, and honest conversation about topics we don’t discuss much.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Book cover for Black Cake

Midtown Readers Book Club

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join us as we discuss Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson! Reserve a copy through our library system HERE. This group meets at the new Watts-Midtown Library in the Norm & Ja...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Join us as we discuss Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson!

Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activit...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, Discussion
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activities will be provided.

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Patron looking through the pages of a curled book that has the word "Banned" in front of it

Seniors Read Banned Books -- Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Details to be added

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Details to be added

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Book Cover next to photo of author

Alpha Book Club

Monday, February 3, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This month's  Alpha Book Club selection is 2023 novel The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride! All are welcome to join and registration is not required...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

This month's  Alpha Book Club selection is 2023 novel The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride! All are welcome to join and registration is not required.

Image of Chris Vallillo playing a guitar on stage.

Tuneful Tuesday Series: Chris Vallillo Abraham Lincoln in Song

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Performance
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Enjoy a musical interlude  over the lunch hour. Thanks  to sponsors Jim and Carol Horstmann, a variety of musical performances will be  presented on the first  ...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Enjoy a musical interlude  over the lunch hour. Thanks  to sponsors Jim and Carol Horstmann, a variety of musical performances will be  presented on the first  Tuesdays  of the month from December through April. 

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Rock Island Arsenal Lecture Series: 250 Years of the US Army

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Collaboration Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775.  This week's topic is "1784-1860: A New Nation and a New Army"...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775. 

This week's topic is "1784-1860: A New Nation and a New Army".

Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activit...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, Discussion
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activities will be provided.